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WhiteTara

(31,236 posts) Wed Jun 15, 2016, 10:27 AM Jun 2016

Cat café study reveals feline grasp of physics [View all]

http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2016/0615/Cat-cafe-study-reveals-feline-grasp-of-physics

A study performed largely in Japanese cat cafés showed that house cats are highly attuned to the laws of physics while hunting.
By Lucy Schouten, Staff June 15, 2016

Anyone who has seen a cat staring at them intently has probably wondered – does that cat know more than it is letting on?

The answer, according to a Japanese study published online Tuesday, is probably yes.

Researchers tested a house cat’s knowledge of physics and cause-and-effect logic, reporting the feline’s surprisingly high scientific competency in the Springer journal of Animal Cognition.

The team’s previous work with cats showed the felines listen for objects hidden inside or nearby a can, a pipe, or cluster of bushes. Researchers theorized this ability helped make house cats the effective hunters they are because they use their highly attuned hearing to predict the location of hidden prey.

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Cat café study reveals feline grasp of physics [View all] WhiteTara Jun 2016 OP

If cats are so good at physics why are they constantly doing gravity checks? The Velveteen Ocelot Jun 2016 #1

Those aren't gravity checks. missingthebigdog Jun 2016 #2

They're experimenting. Igel Jun 2016 #3

That is all part of their sweet yourpaljoey Jun 2016 #4

Those aren't gravity checks. That's a cat critiquing the decor. Solly Mack Jun 2016 #9

Right answer. trotsky Jun 2016 #11

It is their house. :) Solly Mack Jun 2016 #12

That's not a gravity check Carni Jun 2016 #16

^This^ n/t Aerows Jun 2016 #19

BabyGirl 1SBM blessed us with a Grand-kitten ... 1StrongBlackMan Jun 2016 #26

Maybe she wants to be sure the gravity bill has been paid? The Velveteen Ocelot Jun 2016 #27

We have three dogs ... 1StrongBlackMan Jun 2016 #28

Cats are smart in their own strange ways. The Velveteen Ocelot Jun 2016 #29

Ah, but those were JAPANESE cats. US cats prefer to get caught on video and become famous tonyt53 Jun 2016 #5

cat's study in progress....real world physicis! Gabi Hayes Jun 2016 #6

I knew my cats were smarter than me... joeybee12 Jun 2016 #7

Schroedinger's cats? nt clarice Jun 2016 #8

Of course my cats understands physics more than me packman Jun 2016 #10

Squeeeeeee shenmue Jun 2016 #13

Some cats are philosophical. progressoid Jun 2016 #14

"Don't tutch the butt." Chellee Jun 2016 #25

I've always noticed my cat frazzled Jun 2016 #15

That's exactly what they do. The Velveteen Ocelot Jun 2016 #17

LOL, precisely! frazzled Jun 2016 #18

Not mine. Aerows Jun 2016 #20

Because besides physics acumen, they also have internal atomic clocks frazzled Jun 2016 #22

I know that they shed Aerows Jun 2016 #23

Mine are a bit slow. They still use slide rules. The Velveteen Ocelot Jun 2016 #21

I used to think my cat liked to sit in my computer chair Aerows Jun 2016 #24